Motorcycle accidents often result in very serious injuries, injuries which require significant medical treatment such as surgeries and extensive physical therapy. In addition, head or brain injuries can be devastating, leaving a rider with personality changes, mood swings, depression, etc. When these kinds of injuries result, spouses often suffer as well.
Under Pennsylvania motorcycle accident law, when one spouse suffers injury, the other spouse has a claim for the loss of society, comfort, companionship and services resulting from the injuries. In fact, when one spouse is injured, Pennsylvania law presumes that the marriage is affected.
For example, the wife of an injured motorcycle rider may have a claim against the person responsible for causing the accident. This loss of consortium claim is based on changes in the marriage and the loss of her husband’s comfort and companionship. The more serious the injury, the greater the spouse is affected, and the law recognizes this. Properly developing a loss of consortium claim might require deposing fact witnesses, such as close friends or family members.
Loss of consortium claims may only be made if the parties are actually married. Cohabitants will be unable to make a loss of consortium claim under Pennsylvania law. For more information, contact a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer.
More Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Articles:
- What to Expect in a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
- Investigating Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Cases for Liability Beyond the Other Driver
- Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Law – Who Pays for Medical Bills?
Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Schwartz & Blackman handles motorcycle accident cases in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area:
- PA: Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Norristown, Philadelphia
- NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities
*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.